Collaborative Governance and Civic Engagement...Collaborative Governance ! A true partnership...

Collaborative Governance and

Civic Engagement

Missouri Municipal League 2011 Annual Conference

Presented by

Sarah Read The Communications Center, Inc.

Columbia, Missouri

© 2010 The Communications Center, Inc www.buildingdialogue.com © 2011 The Communications Center, Inc www.buildingdialogue.com

Overview

© 2010 The Communications Center, Inc www.buildingdialogue.com

§ What is it? § Who is doing it? § Why do it? § How do you do it? § Resources and wrap-up.


What is it?


Civic Engagement §  “Individual and collective actions designed

to identify and address issues of public concern.” (Wikipedia)

§  “[W]orking to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference.” (From the preface to Civic Responsibility and Higher Education as quoted in the NYT)


Collaborative Governance §  A true partnership through which

government, community and citizen stakeholders jointly work together to make well-informed and sustainable decisions.

§  Authority, responsibility, and accountability

are all shared.


Who is doing it?


Civic Engagement §  Kansas City §  St. Louis §  Columbia §  Springfield §  St. Charles §  And many more.


Collaborative Governance

§  Decatur, Georgia http://www.decaturnext.com §  Manor, Texas http://www.manorlabs.org §  Baltimore, MD http://www.baltometro.org §  St. Louis, MO http://www.ewgateway.org §  And others.


Why are they doing it?


Benefits of Higher Level Engagement

§  Better information §  Improved problem solving capacity §  More resources §  Increased acceptance of results §  More sustainable policies §  Less conflict, more trust


Challenges §  Lack of skills §  Lack of money and other resources §  Lack of understanding §  Inertia and resistance §  Lack of time §  Silos and disconnects §  Diverse populations §  Managing expectations

Generational Differences §  Hierarchy §  Involvement §  Technology §  Identity §  Volunteering Style §  Trust in Authority §  Use of Data

How are they going about it?


Key Factors •  Listening •  Informing •  Inviting •  Questioning •  Careful planning •  Broad engagement •  Clear boundaries •  Integration

•  Clear, consistent, coherent and congruent communication

•  Multifaceted outreach •  Continuous contact •  Humility •  Respect

Food for Thought §  “Democracy needs to be reborn in each

generation and education is its midwife.” ~John Dewey


ManorLabs - Homepage


ManorLabs – Idea List


ManorLabs – Innovation Market


Open Government Initiative


Data.gov

Albemarle

Why People Don’t Engage l  Not Motivated l  Overwhelmed l  Not Invited l  Fearful or Angry l  Don’t Know How l  Other


Sustaining Your Process

l  “One of the most common mistakes made by organizers [of democratic governance efforts] is failing to document and report the results of the projects.”

l  National League of Cities, Changing the Way We Govern


•  “Good ideas are not adopted automatically. They must be driven into practice with courageous patience.” ~Admiral Hyman Rickover

Final Thought


Contact Info Sarah Read

The Communications Center, Inc. www.buildingdialogue.com

910 E. Broadway, Ste 208

Columbia, MO 65201 (573) 447-0499 • [email protected]

About The Communications Center At The Communications Center, Inc. we are dedicated

to helping individuals, organizations and communities with the thinking, communication, and process skills they need to work through difficult and complex issues. We have a deep respect for the public sector and recognize the vital role that government institutions have in supporting and sustaining our community life. We offer training, consulting and facilitation services for both civic engagement and collaborative governance, and we can customize these to your needs. We would welcome the opportunity to work together with you.

www.buildingdialogue.com

Collaborative Governance and Civic Engagement...Collaborative Governance ! A true partnership...

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